Chick. Why doesn't the IFBB get rid of the Olympia auto-qualifications?

[El Diablo Blanco]

This is ruining bodybuilding.  Now you got guys that make the top 6 and never compete again for a year. Shows like the Ironman, Ny PRO and even the Arnold used to be pretty good.  Now they suck because guys like Heath, Cutler, Wolf, Dex etc... sit out the whole year.  These guys should be forced to compete during the year to qualify for the next Olympia.  It would definitely get some excitement back into the game. 

[Schmoe Buster]

This is ruining bodybuilding.  Now you got guys that make the top 6 and never compete again for a year. Shows like the Ironman, Ny PRO and even the Arnold used to be pretty good.  Now they suck because guys like Heath, Cutler, Wolf, Dex etc... sit out the whole year.  These guys should be forced to compete during the year to qualify for the next Olympia.  It would definitely get some excitement back into the game. 

100% agree

[Chick]

No argument there....I've been pushing to get rid of auto re-qualifications for years.  Only guy I would exempt is the winner

[Schmoe Buster]

No argument there....I've been pushing to get rid of auto re-qualifications for years.  Only guy I would exempt is the winner

Chick what is the reason the powers that be wont agree with your idea? i agree completely with only the reigning Mr O should be exempt from qualifying, perhaps former Mr O's too

[El Diablo Blanco]

No argument there....I've been pushing to get rid of auto re-qualifications for years.  Only guy I would exempt is the winner

Agree Chick.  Even the World Cup of soccer recently changed its rule forcing winner to re-qualify.  It creates a better sense of competition.

It seems that these bodybuilders today become these hobbits that lock themselves inside and never show themselves except at a couple expos and six weeks out from the O.

[Chick]

Tradition perhaps?  Just a guess...

I see no advantage for re-qual, just less of the worlds best on the circuit

Dont see it with any other sport either....Tiger Woods wins the Masters, yet somehow, manages to show up at the PGA, US Open, Buick, Etc....


I don't see it as any different for our sport....let them compete I say...


Had this been in place...we would have seen Phil Heath and Jay Cutler having to enter a show in '09...makes for interesting senarios, matchups, and fans seeing the best around the country.

[On_Swole]

Tradition perhaps?  Just a guess...

I see no advantage for re-qual, just less of the worlds best on the circuit

Dont see it with any other sport either....Tiger Woods wins the Masters, yet somehow, manages to show up at the PGA, US Open, Buick, Etc....


I don't see it as any different for our sport....let them compete I say...


Had this been in place...we would have seen Phil Heath and Jay Cutler having to enter a show in '09...makes for interesting senarios, matchups, and fans seeing the best around the country.

This is a surprising answer from someone who knows the true rigors of competing in bodybuilding. One of the main reasons for the decline in an individual's physique is the copious amounts of drug use necessary to be competitive. I see no reason to accelerate that process, and further endanger their health with year round cocktails consisting of gross amounts of hormones and ancillary drugs (and God knows what else). This isn't truly a "sport", such as the golf example you used.

Secondly, and secondary, the "off-season" is when the growth and physique improvements take place. The practice of competing constantly would surely minimize or or remove these gains altogether.

[suckmymuscle]

This is ruining bodybuilding.  Now you got guys that make the top 6 and never compete again for a year. Shows like the Ironman, Ny PRO and even the Arnold used to be pretty good.  Now they suck because guys like Heath, Cutler, Wolf, Dex etc... sit out the whole year.  These guys should be forced to compete during the year to qualify for the next Olympia.  It would definitely get some excitement back into the game. 

  Because if they have to qualify for the Olympia, then they won't be at their best for the Olympia. The more times you peak for shows a year, the worst you look.

SUCKMYMUSCLE

[Schmoe Buster]

Tradition perhaps?  Just a guess...

I see no advantage for re-qual, just less of the worlds best on the circuit

Dont see it with any other sport either....Tiger Woods wins the Masters, yet somehow, manages to show up at the PGA, US Open, Buick, Etc....


I don't see it as any different for our sport....let them compete I say...


Had this been in place...we would have seen Phil Heath and Jay Cutler having to enter a show in '09...makes for interesting senarios, matchups, and fans seeing the best around the country.

Agree 100%, perhaps having the top guys competing more often during the season might help bring more fans to shows as guys like Cutler and Dexter are well known and popular so any extra asses on seats will be good for promoters and maybe better increases in prize money or a better spread of prize money for the top 6 or something.

[El Diablo Blanco]

 Because if they have to qualify for the Olympia, then they won't be at their best for the Olympia. The more times you peak for shows a year, the worst you look.

SUCKMYMUSCLE

You've seen the olympia with guys like Wolf, Martinez,Cutler etc... missing their peaks.  The problem is after a full year off they are not judging correctly how their bodies are going to react to the diet and carb down/loads and most of these guys are looking their best one week out.  It's that constant trial and error that helps them get it right.

[affeman]

This is ruining bodybuilding.  Now you got guys that make the top 6 and never compete again for a year. Shows like the Ironman, Ny PRO and even the Arnold used to be pretty good.  Now they suck because guys like Heath, Cutler, Wolf, Dex etc... sit out the whole year.  These guys should be forced to compete during the year to qualify for the next Olympia.  It would definitely get some excitement back into the game. 

Be glad, otherwise none of these guys would see 40.

2 contest preparations a year would take too much toll on a guys health...

To compare that to a Tiger Woods is the most ridicolous thing I've ever heared lol. Getting ready for a BB show is a form of suicidical tendency; and Chick uses the argument that a Golfer can play several tournaments a year as well....you as the athletes rep wanna see the guys staying in contest shape year round like Munzer??

Additionally to that at the level of these guys it would probably be impossible to still make improvements without any Off-season peaking twice a year.

That's BB that's the way it its. You'll see the top guys only once a year. Accept it or choose another sport.

[adipo8]

No argument there....I've been pushing to get rid of auto re-qualifications for years.  Only guy I would exempt is the winner

Raise the Prize money for the other shows and bring in 2 million for the Olympia and 1 million for the Arnold Classic winner. With your help Bob we could easily get that .... No doubt !

Money would auto mactic - Get people competing .... But But we need more entertainment!

Just a Thought!

[adipo8]

This is a surprising answer from someone who knows the true rigors of competing in bodybuilding. One of the main reasons for the decline in an individual's physique is the copious amounts of drug use necessary to be competitive. I see no reason to accelerate that process, and further endanger their health with year round cocktails consisting of gross amounts of hormones and ancillary drugs (and God knows what else). This isn't truly a "sport", such as the golf example you used.

Secondly, and secondary, the "off-season" is when the growth and physique improvements take place. The practice of competing constantly would surely minimize or or remove these gains altogether.

We have seen the Biggest - the most Ripped - we need more entertainment !
If there was no Off season .. and people competed more often , they would keep the bellies down and therefore staying health.

There are so many BB " off season" trying to bring in the newest " package " no one has ever seen! Yet nothing is accomplished from this "year off " non sense except the rise of more gurus counting reps.

Compete to win compete to make money compete to entertain- Remove the guest posing ---
85% of the guys look like Fat Super Heroes!

[suckmymuscle]

You've seen the olympia with guys like Wolf, Martinez,Cutler etc... missing their peaks.  The problem is after a full year off they are not judging correctly how their bodies are going to react to the diet and carb down/loads and most of these guys are looking their best one week out.  It's that constant trial and error that helps them get it right.

  Lol, no. The more contests you do, the more your body becomes weared out from dehydration and carb depletion and the worst you look. If they looked bad competing at one show a year, imagine how bad they'd look if they had to competed at more than one show. Lee Haney and Dorian Yates competed only at the Olympia for the most part - except for a few Grand Prix shows -, and they never failed to look their best.

SUCKMYMUSCLE

[adipo8]

  Lol, no. The more contests you do, the more your body becomes weared out from dehydration and carb depletion and the worst you look. If they looked bad competing at one show a year, imagine how bad they'd look if they had to competed at more than one show. Lee Haney and Dorian Yates competed only at the Olympia for the most part - except for a few Grand Prix shows -, and they never failed to look their best.

SUCKMYMUSCLE

 I think you may be misinformed !

[suckmymuscle]

I think you may be misinformed !

  I think you're misinformed regarding me being misinformed.

SUCKMYMUSCLE

[adipo8]

Just trying to Help you .... my friend !

[tbombz]

mon brings a valid point, guys miss peaks and fuck up probably because they dont compete very often...

however SMM also is correct guys would never make any improvements (besides conditioning maybe) if they were constantly competing.

[divcom]

Raise the Prize money for the other shows and bring in 2 million for the Olympia and 1 million for the Arnold Classic winner. With your help Bob we could easily get that .... No doubt !

Money would auto mactic - Get people competing .... But But we need more entertainment!

Just a Thought!

boy...you are asking the sponsors to give away a lot of free money.  it's not like they will get the prize money from ticket (200 fans or so a show in some cases) or tv revenues.  you really think bbers built the weider line or their relationship with distributors over 40 yrs.  do u buy sugar flavored protein b/c of a bber?  why you think trueprotein doesnt sponsor?  good s##t sells itself.

[Cleanest Natural]

No argument there....I've been pushing to get rid of auto re-qualifications for years.  Only guy I would exempt is the winner

why would you exempt the winner ?

lET HIM COMPETE

the smaller shows would attract more people...it would be good for bb in general don't you think ?

[suckmymuscle]

Just trying to Help you .... my friend !

  Why would I need help from a moron?

SUCKMYMUSCLE

[240 is Back]

they should pack 6 shows into 6 weeks, with the Olympia being the FIRST show.

Then you would have to do another show (in those remaining 5) or one of the spring shows.

it'd be like putting the super bowl first.  Cutler and heath and dex would have to do another show (hench another chance for fans to see them).  Then they would still have 10 months to grow before doing it again.

Sorta like the euro grand prixk used to be.

[The Wizard of Truth]

In the soccer World Cup the previous tournament champions must re-qualify

[Chick]

This is a surprising answer from someone who knows the true rigors of competing in bodybuilding. One of the main reasons for the decline in an individual's physique is the copious amounts of drug use necessary to be competitive. I see no reason to accelerate that process, and further endanger their health with year round cocktails consisting of gross amounts of hormones and ancillary drugs (and God knows what else). This isn't truly a "sport", such as the golf example you used.

Secondly, and secondary, the "off-season" is when the growth and physique improvements take place. The practice of competing constantly would surely minimize or or remove these gains altogether.

There are two issues at hand here....the athletes and the sport. They need each other in order to survive....hard to build a bigger fan base and interest level when we have ridiculous spacing between shows, and then, a less than the best line-up. 

The golf analogy wasn't meant as a direct comparison, as the differences are obvious....it was meant to illustrate that in just about any other sport I can think of...the champ doesn't get to rest on his throne while everyone else battles it out.  Conceivably....the top 6 could skip the entire season until next years Olympia, not exactly ideal

As for the athletes...a game plan would be in order as it's not reasonable to think they would all be competing at all the shows throughout the year....but ONE other time duing the year?? If you're a professional, this shouldn't be a problem.  You could compete in the Olympia and then a GP show right after to fullfill your obligation...or the Ironman in Jan...as for "offseason gains"....by the time these guys get to the pro level, they don't need major overhauling, or they wouldn't be there in the first place.

Keeping guys leaner during the year would actually LEND to keeping them healthier, not the other way around.

[On_Swole]

...as for "offseason gains"....by the time these guys get to the pro level, they don't need major overhauling, or they wouldn't be there in the first place.

This may have been true back in the early 90's, but unfortunately not today. Not one of the pro card recipients from this past USA would be able to qualify for the Olympia in the open class if they presented the same physique. You can even use yourself as an example. You had a year off between turning pro, and I think the best you could do at the NOC was 11th. You took another year off, then managed 2nd in two shows, thus qualifying for the Olympia. Had you not jumped right in the first year, it's conceivable you could have won both shows.

Keeping guys leaner during the year would actually LEND to keeping them healthier, not the other way around.

This would be true as well if chicken breast, broccoli, and cardio were the means with which these guys would keep themselves lean. Knowing differently for the majority (as do you), I disagree here as well.